About the Centre

Barcelona Field Studies Centre S.L. is a registered Spanish company that offers a range of Physical and Human Geography, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Business Studies, Travel and Tourism and Government and Politics field studies options for GCSE and A/IB level students. Field study programmes range in duration from 1 to 7 full days.

Accommodation is provided in one of a selected number of quality 2 or 3 star hotels, in one of several resorts along the Catalonian coastline, including Sitges and Calafell. Your accommodation provides a comfortable base from which to explore the surrounding areas. Full board or half board can be included.

The teaching base is a self-contained area within the hotel where students have exclusive use of the rooms and facilities.

Programmes can be arranged which complement the work undertaken in the classroom and which meet the demands of the curriculum at all levels.

We offer three types of course:

Centre-Taught Courses:

Led by Barcelona Field Studies Centre staff with specialist knowledge and fieldwork expertise who, after prior negotiation of course content, take full responsibility for teaching the course. Your active involvement is strongly encouraged, whether in
contributing to the teaching, supervising and assisting the students or in allocating students and staff to the most appropriate small working group. One or more evening tutorials are also included, dependent on the length of your course and your preferences. The evening follow-up session is normally between 18.00 and 20.00. There is a break for dinner between 20.00 and 21.00. The briefing for the following day's work is normally undertaken after dinner. Maps, worksheets and course materials are provided as appropriate.

Centre-Assisted Courses:

Tuition is shared between Barcelona Field Studies Centre teaching staff and you each day. The programme is normally designed and led by you with a Barcelona Field Studies Centre member of staff assisting during the work in the field. There are no included evening tutorials. All the facilities of the Centre are available to the group for the duration of the stay. This includes fieldwork equipment and Health and Safety advice. Groups choosing this option should ideally have familiarity with the field study sites. Inspection visits are provided free.

Centre-Taught Light Courses:

As for the Centre-Taught courses, but with a less intensive evening follow-up. The evening follow-up session lasts an hour, normally between 19.00 and 20.00 followed by a break for dinner. The briefing for the following day can be included within the pre-dinner session, or undertaken immediately afterwards at 21.00.

All options include the provision and use of fieldwork equipment and health and safety advice.

Study Themes

The city of Barcelona presents a fascinating case study of many of the major themes of urban growth and development, including urban renewal schemes which are widely recognised as best-practice. The Barcelona region contains a number of spectacular and unspoilt Natural Parks, with a wide variety of study sites.

Study Options include: